Two teenagers who were filmed attacking a baby elephant in Ubon Ratchathani have apologised to the public for their actions, claiming they did not mean to hurt the 'stubborn' animal.
Sarayuth Konkamyai, owner of the four-year old male elephant Plai Roongaroon, on Tuesday invited reporters to check injuries on the elephant’s body.
He said the incident, which was filmed and circulated on the internet, took place in front of a house in Muang district, where a woman regularly gave Plai Roongaroon a banana.
The woman was not there on the day of the incident, he said, so the baby elephant became petulant when he was deprived of his usual snack.
Mr Sorayuth said the two teenagers, a 15-year-old and Suchart Yeaorum,19, had said sorry for their behaviour, but did not hit the elephant with a hook as some media reports suggested, and only poked him to get him to stand up because they feared a car would hit the animal.
The elephant only walked for 500 metres and was not exhausted or hungry before refusing to go on as shown in the video clip, Mr Sarayuth said.
"All of us love the elephant and we want people to understand us. Reports that said the duo struck the elephant with a hook are not true," Mr Sarayuth said.
A traditional ritual was organised on Tuesday to apologise for the incident. It was attended by the two teenage assistant mahouts, Mr Sarayuth, wildlife officials, residents and local police.
Two teenagers who were filmed attacking a baby elephant in Ubon Ratchathani have apologised to the public for their actions, claiming they did mean to hurt the 'stubborn' animal. Photos by Nopparat Kingkaw
